Bacon's Rebellion

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Youngkin Announces Violent Crime Task Force

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by

James A. Bacon
in

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced yesterday the creation of a task force to combat violent crime in Virginia. Said the Governor in making the announcement: “We will take a comprehensive look at how we can address the rise in violent crime by providing more law enforcement resources, creating alternative and after-school activities for children, and addressing the fear that results in witnesses failing to show up for a criminal hearing.”

The announcement could not have been more poignantly timed. In Hampton Roads, three men were killed and three others injured in a series of shootings on Sunday and Monday, reports The Virginian-Pilot. One incident occurred at a vigil attended by hundreds of people in Norfolk in commemoration of a previous shooting victim.

Hopefully, the task force will identify some useful tweaks to policing, justice, and schools to reverse the upsurge in violence over the past two years. But the problem runs deeper than a lack of resources or a failure of policy. What we’re seeing now is the result of a thorough de-legitimization of the criminal justice system by America’s political, media and cultural elites. Charges of “systemic racism” have inspired contempt for law enforcement in lower-income Black communities. To turn the tide, Youngkin needs to articulate a counter-narrative that restores legitimacy to the justice system, and then enact reforms to back it up.

— JAB

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63 responses to “Youngkin Announces Violent Crime Task Force”

  1. James Wyatt Whitehead Avatar
    James Wyatt Whitehead

    Task forces are like steering committees. There is much thoughtful discussion and then they push the solutions to the next convened meeting.

  2. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    Perfectly timed… see Karen’s previous post…

    1. DJRippert Avatar
      DJRippert

      Kerry’s post about Elaine Luria’s ownership of Facebook stock?

      1. Nancy Naive Avatar
        Nancy Naive

        Subject, DJ. Subject.

        Not her last post, her previous post. Penultimate, perhaps?

  3. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    “In Hampton Roads, three men were killed and three others injured in a series of shootings on Sunday and Monday…”

    Fewer than were killed in Buffalo over the weekend… but I am sure you would blame that shooting on “charges of systemic racism” as well…

    1. James A. Bacon Avatar
      James A. Bacon

      You assume a lot of stuff… and most of it is wrong.

      1. Eric the half a troll Avatar
        Eric the half a troll

        GRT or CRT … which is it…??

  4. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    FWIW:

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6da0b61875a7e527a9192bcc18f69cf00f242dfb29424deee031214c1b107c14.jpg

    https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/new-report-highlights-us-2020-gun-related-deaths-highest-number-ever-recorded-by-cdc-gun-homicides-increase-by-more-than-one-third

  5. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    interesting chart:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3e9a1ddfbd3970e3c9c84119084f7a88cc0831286506f56df8cbb986248dc6cd.jpg

    https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/fv9311.pdf

    1. James A. Bacon Avatar
      James A. Bacon

      Yeah, it must have been pretty interesting in 2010. Unfortunately, it’s 2022 now.

      1. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        oops, you are right, old graph, my bad.

  6. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    Here is a counter narrative.

    What we’re seeing now is not the result of a “thorough de-legitimization of the criminal justice system by America’s political, media and cultural elites.” Rather, it is the result of the widespread availability of high powered assault weapons.

    You lament that “charges of ‘systemic racism’ have inspired contempt for law enforcement in lower-income Black communities.” Do you really believe that these communities have come to distrust police as a result of the recent discussions of systemic racism? Do you think that these communities held law enforcement in high esteem up until recently and then, all of a sudden, developed “contempt” for law enforcement? Results from the Cato Institute 2016 Criminal Justice Survey (hardly a liberal progressive organization) tell another story. Here are some of the findings from 2016, before George Floyd and the spotlight on systemic racism:

    ·Only 40 percent of Blacks, compared to 68 percent of whites, had a favorable attitude toward police. That percentage was not much changed from survey from the 1970’s.
    ·73 percent of Blacks said that law enforcement was too quick to use deadly force.
    ·56 percent of Blacks considered the tactics used by police to be too harsh.
    ·Only 31 percent of Blacks were confident that local police departments treated all racial groups equally.
    ·Blacks were more likely than whites or Hispanics to report police swearing at them or using physical abuse.

    https://www.cato.org/survey-reports/policing-america-understanding-public-attitudes-toward-police-results-national

    The distrust and contempt for law enforcement in lower income
    Black communities goes back much further and deeper than the recent discussion of systemic racism. One could argue that distrust is a result of the existence of systemic racism rather than the result of its discussion today.

    1. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      They aren’t influenced by the discussions. They live it. Unarmed black kids killed. Heavily armed white kids talked down.

      1. James A. Bacon Avatar
        James A. Bacon

        Oh, really? What data do you have to support that claim?

        1. Nancy Naive Avatar
          Nancy Naive

          https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/24/ohio-police-shooting-video-shows-unarmed-black-man-holding-up-phone

          https://nypost.com/2022/05/16/black-community-members-question-why-accused-mass-shooter-wasnt-killed/

          But… that’s not the important question I have asked of you.

          Specifically unarmed, specifically black…
          https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unarmed_African_Americans_killed_by_law_enforcement_officers_in_the_United_States

    2. WayneS Avatar
      WayneS

      Rather, it is the result of the widespread availability of high powered assault weapons

      Rifles of all types account for 3%-5% of firearms-related homicides in the U.S. The “widespread availability of high powered assault weapons” has had very little to do with the recent increase in the rate of firearms-related homicides.

    3. WayneS Avatar
      WayneS

      Rather, it is the result of the widespread availability of high powered assault weapons

      Rifles of all types account for 3%-5% of firearms-related homicides in the U.S. The “widespread availability of high powered assault weapons” has had very little to do with the recent increase in the rate of firearms-related homicides.

      1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
        Dick Hall-Sizemore

        OK. It is the result of the widespread availability of firearms of all types.

        1. WayneS Avatar
          WayneS

          In that case, why has there not been a steady increase over the last 30 years as the number of guns in civilian hands doubled while the population increased by about 30%?

          The fact is, though, until the recent single year increase during 2020, there has been a steady downward trend in both the rate and the total number of gun-related murders in the U.S. And even with the single-year spike, the rate and the total number of gun-related murders was lower in 2020 than it was in 1992.

          How do you explain that?

          1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
            Dick Hall-Sizemore

            That is a good question. I need to look at the data and get back to you.

          2. Richard Stockton Avatar
            Richard Stockton

            Biden, Communists! Nuff’ Said! The REAL Disinformation.

        2. kls Avatar
          kls

          And the presence of criminals walking among us and not behind bars!

    4. James A. Bacon Avatar
      James A. Bacon

      The history of policing in Black communities is not a pretty one. Many abuses occurred, and there are legitimate reasons why inner-city Blacks, in particular, learned to distrust police. But times change, institutions learn, reforms are made, and policing strategies are very different now than they were 20, 30 or 40 years ago. Some people on this blog want to pretend it’s still 1960 in America. It’s not. Policing has gotten much, much better.

      Since violent crime peaked in the 1980s/90s, the U.S. began a long-term trend of declining violent crime…. until two years ago, and then there was a sharp rebound. Do you seriously contend that the number of guns surged in 2020 and not before? If guns were the problem, we’d expect to see a society-wide leap in violent crime. But the violence is not society-wide. The increase is concentrated in African-American communities. Something unique to African-American communities is occurring. The unique factor, I submit, is the change in de-legitimizing rhetoric that flared after the George Floyd killing, the wave of legislative and administrative reforms (some worthwhile, many not) that were enacted, and a more defensive posture by many police departments in response to community vitriol.

      I predicted an increase in violent crime. I got the usual criticisms on this blog from those in denial. I’ve been right so far, the deniers have been wrong. I don’t recall the deniers predicting a surge in crime due to gun possession. That’s a after-the-fact explanation, and it doesn’t withstand scrutiny.

      1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
        Dick Hall-Sizemore

        That “de-legitimizing rhetoric” did not signify a change in the attitudes of Black communities. That feeling of distrust of the police has been there all along.

      2. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        re: ” Do you seriously contend that the number of guns surged in 2020 and not before?”

        short answer – yes:

        https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8e96cba9c8e4521991f1102f40299ce3d8107175e5c3b2077b688f5a1ffcaf73.jpg

        https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/732ca93167fbb0045b29fb6e9e56056c2a95bc36b15a50238048bf2f003f7947.jpg

        https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-12-21/5-million-more-americans-became-gun-owners-during-pandemic

        1. James A. Bacon Avatar
          James A. Bacon

          That’s one year, Larry. Let’s look at gun ownership trends since 1972. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3bc0be3ddf8cd88693ddd72fd6cc8376b24e044c3513b061e094b6c0200b9270.jpg

          Source: Statista

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            https://www.economist.com/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20140315_USC517.png

          2. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            but the point is that it dramatically DID increase in 2020, right? Wasn’t that your rhetorical question above?

      3. James McCarthy Avatar
        James McCarthy

        Is it to understand that you predicted a rise in violent crime in Black communities? For the reasons you have cited? Sounds like Monday quarterbacking.

  7. James McCarthy Avatar
    James McCarthy

    Thanx to DHS for deconstructing the usual conservative rhetoric about factors affecting crime. rates. A bit of cross ventilation may assist in clearing the stale gobbledygook.

  8. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    This is not a serious effort.

    A task force that one expects to generate meaningful policy
    recommendations will have representation from a broad spectrum of groups affected by, or concerned with, the identified problem. It will have staff resources. It will attempt to delve into the substance of the problem.

    The press release announcing the “task force” says it will be led by the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, with “additional leadership” (whatever that means) provided by the Chief Deputy Attorney General. Other participants will include leaders from the Governor’s Office, the Attorney General’s office, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, the Virginia State Police, and “others”. No specific individual members are named. There are no “participants” from outside state agencies. There is no mention of staff support. There is no mention of a
    report with recommendations; rather, the task force will make recommendations “on an ongoing basis” to the Governor. (Isn’t it the responsibility of these “leaders” t0 be making such recommendations anyway as part of their jobs?)

    There is no schedule for the task force to meet. It seems that the format the “task force” will use will be meetings with local leaders. There have already been such meetings in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Norfolk, and Petersburg. (The release includes pictures of Governor Youngkin attending some of these meetings.) More are promised in “coming weeks”.

    And why is there a need for such a task force? The Governor says, “There is a clear recognition of a violent crime crisis in Virginia.” It must be so clear that he did not feel the need to provide any evidence that there is a crisis. Never mind that, as the news article linked in Jim Bacon’s article points out, violent crime decreased in Virginia from 2019 to 2020. There have been anecdotal reports of increases since then, but there is no statewide data available yet.

    In his remarks quoted in the news release, the Governor took
    a curious approach to the subject. He called for a “comprehensive look at how we can address the rise in violent crime” and singled out three possible solutions: 1. More law-enforcement resources, 2. Creating alternative and after-school activities for children, and 3. Addressing the fear that results in witnesses failing to show up for a criminal hearing. These are all worthy subjects, but the first two fall short of a comprehensive look. The last problem for which a solution will be sought is a very complex issue and goes to the heart of the prevalence of violent crime. It will take more than a few meetings with community leaders to crack that nut.

    The formation of this “task force” has all the trappings of being
    a series of photo ops for the Governor and the Attorney General. The fact that he issued only a press release and no executive order making it an official body with specific members and direction only confirms this conclusion.

    1. Super Brain Avatar
      Super Brain

      Good observation. Another dog and pony show from VA elected elites.

    2. Eric the half a troll Avatar
      Eric the half a troll

      Just more Youngkin political theater…

    3. James A. Bacon Avatar
      James A. Bacon

      I refer you to a post I made last June based on 2020 crime data: “Violent” crime (mainly assaults) was down 1.9% in 2020 compared to 2019, but murders increased 23.4%. In raw numbers, Whites suffered 20 more murders than the year before, Blacks 97 more.

      But, yeah, sure… It’s all anecdotal. Nothing to see here, move along now.

      https://www.baconsrebellion.com/virginia-murders-surged-in-2020-mostly-in-black-communities/

      The 2021 numbers should be published within a month.

      1. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
        Dick Hall-Sizemore

        Assuming this is truly a crisis and not a temporary blip due to the pandemic, so how is this gaggle of state agency heads accompanying the Governor on a series of one or two hour meetings with local folks before the TV cameras going to solve this problem?

        1. James A. Bacon Avatar
          James A. Bacon

          You may have a point about the effectiveness of the task force. Only time will tell whether it accomplishes anything useful. My points are (1) that the timing of the task force could not be better, and (2) that the problem runs deeper than tweaking a few laws and law-enforcement policies.

      2. Richard Stockton Avatar
        Richard Stockton

        Virginia had the answer to Violence and Murder using firearms, 5 YEAR MANDATORY Prison for using a firearm in commission of crime, on top of crime sentence. PROSECUTORS WHO PROSECUTE!! Rudy’s “Broken Window Policy”. Crime does NOT go unpunished. Not Now, just soft on crime, no prosecution prosecutors, BLM wannabee’s, CRT Guilt Bombs, and us. WE are the problem, for letting it get so out of hand, we let the inmates rule the Asylum. Look in the Mirror Virginia.

        1. kls Avatar
          kls

          Plus with a Federal charge and conviction, the criminal does time out of state — in Colorado, or Illinois where he is a singleton stranger among others, not a few miles away in Petersburg among this friends and relatives.

  9. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    ‘“Overall, violent crime in Virginia fell by 1.9% in 2020 compared to 2019 despite…reporting a 23.4% increase in homicides, according to the … report from state police.”

    Classic GOP: create a task force to “address the increase” in a thing that decreased’

    https://twitter.com/vaplan2018/status/1526521736967163905?s=21

    1. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      ENDING THE USE OF INHERENTLY DIVISIVE CONCEPTS, INCLUDING CRITICAL RACE THEORY, AND RESTORING EXCELLENCE IN K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH

      “There is no systemic racism, and by God, we will eliminate in the system any discussion of the analytic tools that might prove there is….”

      Uh, isn’t that systemic racism?

    2. oromae Avatar
      oromae

      First, crime rates are measured in arrests, not citizen reports.
      Crimes the police are definitely going to respond to aggressively include shootings, the likely reason these rates have grown while other rates have shrank.
      Less aggressive police, less foot traffic, business shutdowns contributed to the falling rates.
      You don’t know what your talking about.

      1. Nancy Naive Avatar
        Nancy Naive

        Not always. Sometimes it’s as simple as counting toes and dividing by 10…

        “…guns are the cause in 76% of violent crime.”

        I didn’t hear Youngkin use the word “gun”. But then, if he did, he’d only channel Archie Bunker, “… would it make you feel better if dey t’roed ’em out d’window, Little Girl.”

        1. Eric the half a troll Avatar
          Eric the half a troll

          Denialism at work there… 🤷‍♂️

          1. oromae Avatar
            oromae

            Yes. Appropriate bail and punishment in answer to violent crime constitutes denial in your bizarro world.

          2. oromae Avatar
            oromae

            Yes. Appropriate bail and punishment in answer to violent crime constitutes denial in your bizarro world.

          3. oromae Avatar
            oromae

            Yes. Appropriate bail and punishment in answer to violent crime constitutes denial in your bizarro world.

        2. oromae Avatar
          oromae

          Gobbledygook.

          1. Nancy Naive Avatar
            Nancy Naive

            Yes, I should think you’d recognize it given you’ve had a steady diet of it from Fox.

          2. oromae Avatar
            oromae

            I don’t watch Fox, genius.

          3. Nancy Naive Avatar
            Nancy Naive

            Self-dementing

          4. oromae Avatar
            oromae

            Is that a confession or projection?

          5. Nancy Naive Avatar
            Nancy Naive

            67.5 plus or minus 0.5 kilometers per second per megaparsec

          6. oromae Avatar
            oromae

            Is that the velocity of your mouth?

        3. kls Avatar
          kls

          More people are killed by fists and feet than by rifles of all kind, according the yearly FBI reporting.

          1. Nancy Naive Avatar
            Nancy Naive

            Yep, and Bambi kills more people than sharks…

    3. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      The best counter to the delusional BR is a factual BV…
      https://bluevirginia.us/2022/05/on-right-wing-radio-youngkin-claims-virginias-at-a-20-year-high-in-the-violent-crime-rate-per-the-fbi-and-va-state-police-thats-not-even-close-to-accurate

  10. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    This IS the Republican Party. If you vote Republican, do you really support this?
    https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-republicans-replacement-theory-00800c89953aa58e746988ed591e7ed9

    If not, quit now.

    1. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      I love the way the conservatives here in BR just ignore this stuff like it’s not happening…. meanwhile back to the culture war they do want to litigate…

      The GOP, with a few exceptions, has turned into a party of lies and disinformation on the issues – in no small part because it actually works with their supporters. It’s what they believe and their leaders feed it to them.

      Nope, there is no systemic racism – just a few malcontents on social media and FOX…. who sometimes get out of hand….

      but hey, don’t need to dwell on that when there is so much more to exploit – like transgender and “divisive concepts’ and woke DEI… yepper…

      1. Nancy Naive Avatar
        Nancy Naive

        Well, lies and disinformation… DoJ requests J6 transcripts relative to a criminal investigation.

        Maybe the BR’ers won’t have to quit the Party; the Party may quit them.

  11. Eric the half a troll Avatar
    Eric the half a troll

    Virginia violent crime rate is considerably lower than average. There were a total of 209 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in the state in 2020, compared to 399 per 100,000 nationwide. Hammer looking for a nail.

    1. Nancy Naive Avatar
      Nancy Naive

      Never waste a crisis. Never pass up the opportunity to create a crisis.

  12. Nancy Naive Avatar
    Nancy Naive

    And then there is fact and reality…
    https://bluevirginia.us/2022/05/on-right-wing-radio-youngkin-claims-virginias-at-a-20-year-high-in-the-violent-crime-rate-per-the-fbi-and-va-state-police-thats-not-even-close-to-accurate

    1. Eric the half a troll Avatar
      Eric the half a troll

      Stop spewing facts!!

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